Toolbox

ABSTRACT

A toolbox includes first and second toolbox parts, and a pivot joint unit. The first toolbox part defines an accommodating space, and has an opening that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space. The pivot joint unit interconnects the first and second toolbox parts, and permits relative rotation between the first and second toolbox parts from a closed position, where the first and second toolbox parts overlap with each other such that the second toolbox part covers the opening in the first toolbox part, and an open position, where the first and second toolbox parts overlap with each other such that the second toolbox part uncovers the opening in the first toolbox part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a toolbox, more particularly to a toolbox thatincludes first and second toolbox parts, which overlap with each otherwhen disposed at either one of the closed and open positions.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional toolbox includes first and second toolbox parts, andfirst and second retainer units. The first and second toolbox parts arecoupled pivotably to each other. The first tool retainer unit is mountedon the first toolbox part for retaining a first set of tools on thelatter. The second tool retainer unit is mounted on the second toolboxpart for retaining a second set of tools on the latter. The first andsecond toolbox parts are pivotable relative to each other between afirst position, where the first and second toolbox parts overlap witheach other so as to prevent access to the first and second sets oftools, and a second position, where the first and second toolbox partsform a hundred and eighty degree angle therebetween so as to permitaccess to the first and second sets of tools.

The conventional toolbox is disadvantageous in that when the first andsecond toolbox parts are disposed at the second position, theconventional toolbox occupies a relatively large space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a toolboxthat can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a toolbox comprises first and secondtoolbox parts, and a pivot joint unit. The first toolbox part defines anaccommodating space, and has an opening that is in spatial communicationwith the accommodating space. The pivot joint unit interconnects thefirst and second toolbox parts, and permits relative rotation betweenthe first and second toolbox parts from a closed position, where thefirst and second toolbox parts overlap with each other such that thesecond toolbox part covers the opening in the first toolbox part, and anopen position, where the first and second toolbox parts overlap witheach other such that the second toolbox part uncovers the opening in thefirst toolbox part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodimentof a toolbox according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view to illustrate first and secondtoolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed at a closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate the first and second toolboxparts of the first preferred embodiment disposed at an open position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view to illustrate a pivot joint unitof the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view to illustrate the first and second toolboxparts of the first preferred embodiment disposed to form a hundred andeighty degree angle therebetween;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view to illustrate the second toolbox part rotatedat a hundred and eighty degree angle relative to the first toolbox part;and

FIG. 7 is an exploded schematic view of the second preferred embodimentof a toolbox according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it shouldbe noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numeralsthroughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first preferred embodiment of a toolbox 100according to the present invention is shown to include first and secondtoolbox parts 3, 4, and a pivot joint unit 6.

The toolbox 100 of this embodiment serves to hold first and second setsof tools 200, 300 (see FIG. 5) in a manner that will be describedhereinafter.

It is noted that each of the tools 200, 300 in the first and second setsis an Allen wrench and has a distinct size.

The first toolbox part 3 includes a base wall 31, a front wall 32, and apair of lateral walls 33, 34. The base wall 31, the front wall 32, andthe lateral walls 33, 34 of the first toolbox part 3 cooperativelydefine an accommodating space 30 thereamong. The first toolbox part 3has an opening 301 that is in spatial communication with theaccommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3.

The second toolbox part 4 includes a base wall 41, a front wall 42, anda pair of lateral walls 43, 44. The base wall 41, the front wall 42, andthe lateral walls 43, 44 of the second toolbox part 4 cooperativelydefine an accommodating space 40 thereamong. The second toolbox part 4has an opening 401 that is in spatial communication with theaccommodating space 40 in the second toolbox part 4.

The toolbox 100 further includes first and second ears 51, 52, each ofwhich extends from a respective one of opposite ends of the front wall32 of the first toolbox part 3, and third and fourth ears 53, 54, eachof which extends from a respective one of opposite ends of the frontwall 42 of the second toolbox part 4.

The pivot joint unit 6 includes first and second pivot joints 61, 62.The first pivot joint 61 of the pivot joint unit 6 is disposed betweenthe first and second ears 51, 52, and is coupled rotatably to the firstand second ears 51, 52. On the other hand, the second pivot joint 62 ofthe pivot joint unit 6 is disposed between the third and fourth ears 53,54, extends parallel and is coupled to the first pivot joint 61, and iscoupled rotatably to the third and fourth ears 53, 54. The constructionas such permits relative rotation between the first and second toolboxparts 3, 4 about the first and second pivot joints 61, 62 of the pivotjoint unit 6 between a closed position, where the first and secondtoolbox parts 3, 4 overlap with each other such that the first toolboxpart 3 covers the opening 401 in the second toolbox part 4 and such thatthe second toolbox part 4 covers the opening 301 in the first toolboxpart 3, as best shown in FIG. 2, and an open position, where the firstand second toolbox parts 3, 4 overlap with each other such that thefirst toolbox part 3 uncovers the opening 401 in the second toolbox part4 and such that the second toolbox part 4 uncovers the opening 301 inthe first toolbox part 3, as best shown in FIG. 3. The toolbox 100 ofthis invention therefore occupies the same space regardless of whetherthe first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are disposed at the closed oropen position.

With further reference to FIG. 4, the pivot joint unit 6 furtherincludes a third pivot joint 63 that extends transversely relative tothe first and second pivot joints 61, 62 and that is rotatably coupledto an engaging groove 620 in the second pivot joint 62. The constructionas such permits relative rotation between the first and second toolboxparts 3, 4 about the third pivot joint 63 between a first position,where the opening 301 in the first toolbox part 3 and the opening 401 inthe second toolbox part 4 face in the same direction, as best shown inFIG. 5, and a second position, where the opening 301 in the firsttoolbox part 3 and the opening 401 in the second toolbox part 4 face inopposite directions, as best shown in FIG. 6. The toolbox 100 furtherincludes a first pair of abutting protrusions 71, 72, each of which isprovided on a respective one of opposite end portions of the first pivotjoint 61 of the pivot joint unit 6, and a second pair of abuttingprotrusions 73, 74, each of which is provided on a respective one ofopposite end portions of the second pivot joint 62 of the pivot jointunit 6. The abutting protrusions 71, 72 abut against the front wall 32of the first toolbox part 3 and the abutting protrusions 73, 74 abutagainst the front wall 42 of the second toolbox part 3 when the firstand second toolbox parts 3, 4 are disposed at one of the closed and openpositions. As such, it is ensured that the first and second toolboxparts 3, 4 wholly overlap each other when disposed at the closed or openposition. In an alternative embodiment, the toolbox 100 maybe dispensedwith the first and second pairs of abutting protrusions 71, 72, 73, 74.

The toolbox 100 further includes first and second tool retainer units 8,9. The first retainer unit 8 is disposed in the accommodating space 30in the first toolbox part 3, is provided on the first toolbox part 3,and retains the first set of tools 200 in the accommodating space 30 inthe first toolbox part 3. In this embodiment, the first tool retainerunit 8 includes a plurality of resilient clamps 81, each of which clampsreleasably a first end portion 2001 of a respective one of the tools 200in the first set, as best shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, the secondretainer unit 9 is disposed in the accommodating space 40 in the secondtoolbox part 4, is provided on the second toolbox part 4, and retainsthe second set of tools 300 in the accommodating space 40 in the secondtoolbox part 4. In this embodiment, the second tool retainer unit 9,like the first tool retainer unit 8, includes a plurality of resilientclamps 91, each of which clamps releasably a first end portion 3001 of arespective one of the tools 300 in the second set, as best shown in FIG.5.

The toolbox 100 further includes first and second slot-defining wallunits 35, 45, each of which is disposed in the accommodating space 30,40 in a respective one of the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 andeach of which is formed on the respective one of the first and secondtoolbox parts 3, 4. In this embodiment, the first slot-defining unit 35includes a plurality of slot-defining walls 351, each of which defines aslot 350 that receives a second end portion 2002 of a respective one ofthe tools 200 in the first set and that has a diameter corresponding toa cross-section of the second end portion 2002 of the respective one ofthe tools 200 in the first set and each of which is provided with a mark352 that indicates the size of the respective one of the tools 200 inthe first set. Moreover, the second slot-defining wall unit 45, like thefirst slot-defining wall unit 35, includes a plurality of slot-definingwalls 451, each of which defines a slot 450 that receives a second endportion 3002 of a respective one of the tools 300 in the second set andthat has a diameter corresponding to a cross-section of the second endportion 3002 of the respective one of the tools 300 in the second setand each of which is provided with a mark 452 that indicates the size ofthe respective one of the tools 300 in the second set.

The toolbox 100 further includes a latch unit for retaining the firstand second toolbox parts 3, 4 at the closed position. The latch unitincludes a pair of latching grooves 36, each of which is formed in arespective one of the lateral walls 33, 34 of the first toolbox part 3,and a pair of hooks 46, each of which is provided on a respective one ofthe lateral walls 43, 44 of the second toolbox part 4 and each of whichengages releasably a respective one of the latching grooves 36 when thefirst and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are disposed at the closed position.

In use, when it is desired to retain the first set of tools 200 in theaccommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3 and the second set oftools 300 in the accommodating space 40 in the second toolbox part 4,the first and second toolbox parts 3,4 are first disposed at the openposition. Then, the second end portion 2002 of each of the tools 200 inthe first set is inserted into the respective one of the slots 350 inthe first slot-defining wall unit 35 and, subsequently, the first endportion 2001 of each of the tools 200 in the first set is clamped by therespective one of the clamps 81 of the first tool retainer unit 8.Furthermore, the second end portion 3002 of each of the tools 300 in thesecond set is inserted into the respective one of the slots 450 in thesecond slot-defining wall unit 45 and, subsequently, the first endportion 3001 of each of the tools 300 in the second set is clamped bythe respective one of the clamps 91 of the second tool retainer unit 9.Thereafter, the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are restored to theclosed position.

It is noted that the base wall 31, 41 of each of the first and secondtoolbox parts 3, 4 is formed with a cutout at a free end portion 310,410 thereof so as to permit viewing of the first end portions 2001 ofthe tools 200 in the accommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3and the first end portions 3001 of the tools 300 in the accommodatingspace 40 in the second toolbox part 4 when the first and second toolboxparts 3, 4 are disposed in the closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a toolbox 100according to the present invention. When compared to the previousembodiment, the pivot joint unit 6 is dispensed with the third pivotjoint 63 (see FIG. 1), and the first and second pivot joints 61, 62 ofthe pivot joint unit 6 are formed integrally as one single piece.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatare considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

1. A toolbox, comprising: a first toolbox part defining an accommodatingspace, and having an opening that is in spatial communication with saidaccommodating space; a second toolbox part; and a pivot joint unitinterconnecting said first and second toolbox parts, and permittingrelative rotation between said first and second toolbox parts from aclosed position, where said first and second toolbox parts overlap witheach other such that said second toolbox part covers said opening insaid first toolbox part, and an open position, where said first andsecond toolbox parts overlap with each other such that said secondtoolbox part uncovers said opening in said first toolbox part.
 2. Thetoolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot joint unit includes afirst pivot joint coupled rotatably to said first toolbox part, and asecond pivot joint that extends parallel and that is coupled to saidfirst pivot joint, and that is coupled rotatably to the second toolboxpart.
 3. The toolbox as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: firstand second ears extending from said first toolbox part, said first pivotjoint being disposed between and being coupled rotatably to said firstand second ears; and third and fourth ears extending from said secondtoolbox part, said second pivot joint being disposed between and beingcoupled rotatably to said third and fourth ears.
 4. The toolbox asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said pivot joint unit further includes athird pivot joint that extends transversely relative to and that iscoupled to said first and second pivot joints so as to permit relativerotation between said first and second pivot joints.
 5. The toolbox asclaimed in claim 4, wherein one of said first and second pivot joints isformed with an engaging groove, said third pivot joint being formed onthe other of said first and second pivot joints and engaging rotatablysaid engaging groove.
 6. The toolbox as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising first and second abutting protrusions, each of which isprovided on a respective one of said first and second pivot joints, eachof said first and second abutting protrusions abutting against arespective one of said first and second toolbox parts when said firstand second toolbox parts are disposed at either one of the closed andopen positions.
 7. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, further comprisinga tool retainer unit disposed in said accommodating space in said firsttoolbox part, provided on said first toolbox part, and adapted to retaina set of tools in said accommodating space in said first toolbox part.8. The toolbox as claimed ion claim 7, wherein said tool retainer unitincludes a plurality of resilient clamps, each of which is adapted toclamp releasably a first end portion of a respective one of the tools.9. The toolbox as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a slot-definingwall unit disposed in said accommodating space in said first toolboxpart, formed on said first toolbox part, and including a plurality ofslot-defining walls, each of which defines a slot that is adapted toreceive a second end portion of a respective one of the tools.
 10. Thetoolbox as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said slot-defining wallsis provided with a mark that indicates the size of the respective one ofthe tools.
 11. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, further comprising alatch unit for retaining said first and second toolbox parts at theclosed position, said latch unit including a latching groove that isformed in one of said first and second toolbox parts, and a hook that isprovided on the other of said first and second toolbox parts, and thatengages releasably said latching groove when said first and secondtoolbox parts are disposed at the closed position.
 12. The toolbox asclaimed in claim 8, wherein each of said first and second toolbox partshas a free end portion that is formed with a cutout so as to permitviewing of the first end portions of the tools in said accommodatingspace in said first toolbox part when said first and second toolboxparts are disposed at the closed position.
 13. The toolbox as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said first and second pivot joints of said pivot jointunit are formed integrally as one single piece.